500mm Plus lens advice wanted

[Jakesplanes]

Well, that glorious day has come when ive been permitted to buy a new lens. The old Tamron 70-300 was really struggling for reach not to mention the autofocus blowing out regularly. I have a D7200 body. My upgrade options are:
1. 50-500 Sigma OS
2. 150-600 Sigma
3. 150-600 Tamron

Ive read every review i can find but id appreciate advice from guys who use them for the same purposes as me. At the moment im leaning toward the range of the 50-500 but that extra 100mm reach cant hurt either...
Thoughts appreciated

[D90Man]

Hi Jakesplanes

I've used the Tamron once (on rental) and I thought it was excellent..can't speak for the others though.

You can see the results at http://www.planephotos.org.uk/?page_id=2537. The weather wasn't the best for those days but maybe it was more like the UK, although hotter.

As always, it's not just quality of the lens - it's the quality of the idiot with his finger on the shutter!!

HTH

Leon

BTW I ended up buying the Nikon 200-500mm!!

[Jakesplanes]

Hi Jakesplanes

I've used the Tamron once (on rental) and I thought it was excellent..can't speak for the others though.

You can see the results at http://www.planephotos.org.uk/?page_id=2537. The weather wasn't the best for those days but maybe it was more like the UK, although hotter.

As always, it's not just quality of the lens - it's the quality of the idiot with his finger on the shutter!!

HTH

Leon

BTW I ended up buying the Nikon 200-500mm!!

Thanks Leon. The extra reach of the Tamron is nice but .. i can only afford one body. At Duxford with my 70-300 flying was too far away and the taxiing returns were too close. 150-600 solves the former and exacerbates the latter, tho the 50-500 may mean no lens changes needed until the static tour. But the Tamron is certainly great value for money. Judging by your link, the idiot with his finger on the shutter knows what he's doing just fine

[Airwolfhound]

I have the Sigma 50-500mm OS and its the only lens I use. I can get decent static, take-off and flying display shots without the need for changing bodies/lenses. I have considered going for the 150-600mm but don't like the idea of gaining the 100mm at the shorter end. I like having the option of getting a side-on B52 on take off at RIAT, and you won't achieve that with a 150mm from the FRIAT stand (which is where I live over the duration pretty much ). The 50-500mm OS is a great lens and you don't lose any sharpness at the 500mm end with the OS. I have it permanently strapped to my 7d2 and it is a great piece of kit.

[Luke28]

I've owned both the Sigma 50-500 and Sigma 150-600, they're both good lenses, the 600mm is sharper than the 500mm but then you can pick the 50-500 up for around £400 now were as you're looking at almost double that for the 150-600 so its to be expected.

The 50-500 was my main lens for a good 4 years and in good light it will produce excellent results, the autofocus can hunt a bit in low light at the 500mm end but isn't a problem if you drop back to around 300-400mm. Its a heavy lens and after a full day of airshowing you will feel it in your arm.

I've only had the 150-600 for a couple of weeks but early impressions are excellent, its pin sharp and fast all the way upto 500mm and only loses slight sharpness at 600mm, Its even heavier than its little brother.

[boff180]

I have the 150-600 Sports and it is superb if you can handle the weight.

I used to have the 50-500 and the 150-600 is streets ahead image quality wise.

Andy

[helired3]

I had the Tamron 150-600mm and its a great lens for the Money. i recently upgraded to the Tamron 150-600mm G2 thats even Better although a tad Heavier.

[BrawlerO]

I've used the first version of the Tamron 150-600 for a few years now and been very happy for the price.
Feel free to browse a few from RIAT last year for an idea....
https://www.flickr.com/gp/135563850@N02/nq8848

[Jakesplanes]

Thanks to all for the good advice. I've bitten the bullet and gone for the 50-500 OS. Trying it out at the Ilmavoimat open day next week. Can't wait!